U.S. patent application number 13/546390 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for portable communication device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Dong-Hak KIM, Dong-Il LEE, Chan-Seob PARK. Invention is credited to Dong-Hak KIM, Dong-Il LEE, Chan-Seob PARK.
Application Number | 20130016464 13/546390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46642352 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130016464 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Dong-Hak ; et
al. |
January 17, 2013 |
PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
Abstract
A portable communication device includes a body including at
least one part attaching/detaching section, a case slidably coupled
to the body to open or close the part attaching/detaching section
as the case slides, a sliding module installed between the body and
the case to slide the case and a locking unit installed in the body
and the case. The case is slid to open or close the entire part
attaching/detaching section. The part attaching/detaching section
may embody any of a battery attaching/detaching section, a memory
card attaching/detaching section and a plurality of connecting
jacks, without limitation.
Inventors: |
KIM; Dong-Hak; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) ; PARK; Chan-Seob; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ;
LEE; Dong-Il; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIM; Dong-Hak
PARK; Chan-Seob
LEE; Dong-Il |
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Gyeonggi-Do
KR
|
Family ID: |
46642352 |
Appl. No.: |
13/546390 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0262
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/00 20060101
H05K007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 13, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0069651 |
Claims
1. A portable communication device, comprising: a body including a
part attaching/detaching section; a case slidably coupled to the
body to open or close the part attaching/detaching section as the
case slides; a sliding module installed between the body and the
case to slide the case; and a locking unit installed in the body
and the case, wherein the case is slid to open or close the entire
part attaching/detaching section.
2. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the part attaching/detaching section is one of a battery
attaching/detaching section, a memory card attaching/detaching
section and a plurality of connecting jacks.
3. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
at least one stopper for restricting the sliding of the case is
installed in the body and the case.
4. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the body includes a first body element having the locking unit and
a second body element having the stopper.
5. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the case includes a rear case made of a metal.
6. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the case is made of aluminum.
7. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the sliding module includes a pair of guide rails installed at
opposite ends of the body and a pair of slide grooves formed at
opposite ends of the case and is slidably coupled to the guide
rails.
8. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the locking unit includes: a button installed in the body and
exposed to the outside; a movable locker installed at a lower
portion of the button and configured to be caught by or released
from a catching recess formed in the case when the button is pushed
or the movable locker is moved upward and downward as the case
slides; a pair of hooks formed at opposite ends of the movable
locker to contact a support installed in the body and prevent
separation of the movable locker; and a pair of coil springs
installed at a lower portion of the movable locker to provide a
resilient force to allow upward and downward movement of the
movable locker.
9. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the movable locker forms an inclined contact surface which contacts
the catching recess of the case and guides the catching of the
catching recess.
10. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the stopper includes: first and second stopper recesses
formed in the case to restrict the sliding of the case at an
initial position or a final position; and a stopper locker
installed in the body to be attached to or detached from the first
and second stopper recesses as the case slides.
11. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the stopper locker includes: a coupler coupled to a
coupling recess formed in the body; a catcher formed at a position
adjacent to the coupler to generate a deflection when the case
slides, to be attached to or detached from the first and second
stopper recesses and to be caught or released; a resilient member
formed in the catcher to provide a resilient force so that the
catcher is deformed; and a support member formed in the coupler to
support deflection of the catcher.
12. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the coupler has a coupling hole coupled to a coupling boss
formed in the coupling recess.
13. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 11,
wherein an inclined guide surface is formed in the first and second
stopper recesses to detachably guide the catcher of the stopper
locker.
14. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 13,
wherein an inclined surface is formed in the catcher to face the
inclined guide surface and guide attachment and detachment of the
inclined guide surface.
15. A portable communication device comprising: a body including a
part attaching/detaching section; and a case in combination with a
sliding module that is slidably coupled to the body; wherein the
case, sliding module and body cooperate to open or close the part
attaching/detaching section as the case slides.
16. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 15,
wherein the part attaching/detaching section embodies one of a
battery attaching/detaching section, a memory card
attaching/detaching section and a plurality of connecting
jacks.
17. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 15,
wherein the sliding module includes a pair of guide rails installed
at opposite ends of the body and a pair of slide grooves formed at
opposite ends of the case and is slidably coupled to the guide
rails.
18. A portable communication device comprising: a portable
communication device body including a battery attaching/detaching
section; a case slidably coupled to the body to open or close the
battery attaching/detaching section as the case slides; a sliding
module installed between the body and the case to slide the case; a
locking unit installed in the body and the case to catch or release
the case; and at least one stopper installed in the body and the
case to restrict slide of the case.
19. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the stopper includes first and second stopper recesses and
a stopper locker.
20. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 19,
wherein the first stopper recess is formed in the case to restrict
the sliding of the case at an initial position, the second stopper
is formed in the case to restrict the sliding of the case at a
final position and the stopper locker includes a coupler, a
catcher, a resilient member and a support member, and is installed
in the body to be detached from the first and second stopper
recesses as the case slides.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to a Korean Patent Application entitled "Portable
Communication Device" filed in the Korean Intellectual Property
Office on Jul. 13, 2011, and assigned Serial No. 10-2011-0069651,
the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a portable communication
device, and more particularly to a portable communication device
adapted to open and close a part attaching/detaching section as a
case slides.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a portable communication device refers to a
device though which a user can perform wireless communication with
a counterpart while carrying it. Such portable communication
devices include an HHP, a CT-2 cellular phone, a digital phone, a
PCS phone, and a PDA, and are classified into various types
according to their appearances. For example, wireless terminals are
classified into a bar type, a flip type, a folder type, and a slide
type according to their appearances. The above-listed conventional
communication devices essentially include an antenna unit, a data
input/output unit, and a data transmitting/receiving unit. It is
apparent that a keypad and a touch screen through which data can be
input by a pushing operation of a finger are generally used as the
data input unit.
[0006] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a conventional bar type portable
communication unit 1 includes a front case (not shown), a rear case
2, a battery cover 3, and a battery attaching/detaching section
4.
[0007] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the battery cover 3 is detachably
coupled to the rear case 2, and the rear case 2 opens or closes the
battery attaching/detaching section 4 provided in the bar type
portable communication unit 1 when the battery cover 3 is attached
or detached.
[0008] A battery cover attaching apparatus of a portable
communication device is disclosed in Korean Patent Application
Publication No. 2009-0050837 (published on May 20, 2009).
[0009] However, according to the conventional bar type
communication device, since a battery cover separately installed in
the rear case should be separated to open or close a battery
attaching/detaching section, manufacturing costs are increased and
an assembling process becomes difficult due to an increase in the
number of parts of the product. Further, it is difficult to make a
design of a product appealing.
[0010] Thus, there exists a need to open or close a battery
attaching/detaching section without using a conventional battery
cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the
above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art.
[0012] The present invention provides a portable communication
device adapted to open or close a part attaching/detaching section
(for example, a battery attaching/detaching section, a memory card
attaching/detaching section, and a plurality of connecting jacks)
as a case slides. Not only does such an outer design realize a very
appealing product by elimination of a need for a conventional
battery cover but further realizes reduced manufacturing costs by
reducing the number of parts of the product.
[0013] In one embodiment, the invention provides a portable
communication device comprising: a body including at least one part
attaching/detaching section; a case slidably coupled to the body to
open or close the part attaching/detaching section as the case
slides; a sliding module installed between the body and the case to
slide the case; and a locking unit installed in the body and the
case, wherein the case is slid to open or close the entire part
attaching/detaching section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
battery cover apparatus of a conventional portable communication
device;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
portable communication device according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion
A of FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion
B of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the portable
communication device in an unassembled state;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the portable
communication device in a state where a stopper is coupled to a
body;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the portable
communication device in a state where the portable communication
device is assembled;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a state
where the portable communication device is not yet operated;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view illustrating a locking unit
of the portable communication device;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view illustrating a state where
the portable communication device is not yet operated;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an enlarged side sectional view of a portion C of
FIG. 10;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state where the locking
unit of the portable communication device is operated;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a cutaway plan view illustrating a state where
the portable communication device is not operated yet;
[0028] FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of a portion D of FIG.
13;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a state
where the portable communication device is operated;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a cutaway plan view illustrating a state where
the portable communication device is operated; and
[0031] FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of a portion E of FIG.
16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It should be understood that the configurations described
herein and illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary
embodiments of the invention provided for explanatory purposes and
are not meant to limit the scope and spirit in any way.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 17, a portable communication
device 10 includes a body 20 having a part attaching/detaching
section 20a, a case 30, a sliding module 40, a locking unit 50, and
at least one stopper 60. The body 20 is installed within the case
30 to open or close the part attaching/detaching section 20a as the
case 30 slides. The case 30 is slidably coupled to the body 20 to
open or close the part attaching/detaching section 20a as the case
30 slides. The sliding module 40 is installed between the body 20
and the case 30 to slide the case 30 from the body 20. The locking
unit 50 is installed in the body 20 and the case 30 to catch or
release the case 30. The stopper 60 is installed in the body 20 and
the case 30 to restrict the sliding of the case 30.
[0034] The case 30 is configured to fully open the entire part
attaching/detaching section 20a having at least one part.
[0035] The part attaching/detaching section 20a may be one of a
battery attaching/detaching section, a memory card
attaching/detaching section, and a plurality of connecting jacks,
but may be any suitable part attaching/detaching section other than
a battery attaching/detaching section, a memory card
attaching/detaching section, and a plurality of connecting
jacks.
[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the body 20 includes first
and second body elements 21 and 22. The first body element 21 is
coupled to the second body element 22 to include the locking unit
50, and the second body element 22 is coupled to the first body
element 21 to include the stopper 60.
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, the case 30 is a rear case
made of a metal, but may be any suitable case other than the rear
case (for example, an upper case).
[0038] In the embodiment shown, the case 30 is made of aluminum,
but may be made of any suitable material other than aluminum (for
example, stainless steel)
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the sliding module 40
includes a pair of guide rails 41 and a pair of slide grooves 42.
The guide rails 41 are installed at opposite ends of the body 20 to
be slidably coupled to the slide grooves 42 and the slide grooves
42 are formed at opposite ends of the case 30 to be slidably
coupled to the guide rails 41.
[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 12, the locking unit 50
includes a button 51, a movable locker 52, a pair of hooks 53, and
a pair of coil springs 54. The button 51 is installed in the body
20 to be exposed to the outside and be pushed by an external force.
The movable locker 52 is installed at a lower portion of the button
51 to be caught by a catching recess 31 formed in the case 30 or
released therefrom when moved upward or downward as the button 51
is pushed or the case 30 is slid. The hooks 53 are formed at
opposite ends of the movable locker 52 to contact a support 24
installed in the body 20 and prevent the movable locker 52 from
being separated. The coil springs 54 are installed at a lower
portion of the movable locker 52 to provide resilient forces for
moving the movable locker 52 upward and downward.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 11, an inclined contact surface 52a
is formed in the movable locker 52 to contact the catching recess
31 of the case 30 and guide a caught state of the movable locker
52.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, and 13 to 17, the stopper
60 includes first and second stopper recesses 61 and 62, and a
stopper locker 63. The first stopper recess 61 is formed in the
case 30 to restrict the sliding of the case 30 at an initial
position. The second stopper 62 is formed in the case 30 to
restrict the sliding of the case 30 at a final position. The
stopper locker 63 is installed in the body 20 to be detached from
the first and second stopper recesses 61 and 62 as the case 30
slides.
[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and 13 to 17, the stopper
locker 63 includes a coupler 63a, a catcher 63b, a resilient member
63c, and a support member 63d. The coupler 63a is coupled to a
coupling recess 23 formed in the body 20. The catcher 63b is formed
at a position adjacent to the coupler 63a to be attached to and
detached from the first and second stopper recesses 61 and 62 and
to be caught or released due to a deflection generated when the
case 30 slides. The resilient member 63c is formed in the catcher
63b to provide a resilient force for the deflection of the catcher
63b. The support member 63d is formed in the coupler 63a to support
the deflection of the catcher 63b.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coupler 63a has a coupling
hole to be coupled to a coupling boss 23a formed in the coupling
recess 23 of the body 20.
[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17, inclined guide surfaces
61a and 62a are formed in the first and second stopper recesses 61
and 62 to detachably guide the catcher 63b of the stopper locker 63
as the case 30 slides, and an inclined surface 70 is formed in the
catcher 63b to face the inclined guide surfaces 61a and 62a and
guide attachment and detachment of the inclined guide surfaces 61a
and 62a.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 17, the portable communication
device 10 includes a body 20 having a part attaching/detaching
section 20a, a case 30, a sliding module 40, a locking unit 50, and
at least one stopper 60.
[0047] The part attaching/detaching section 20a may be exemplified
by a battery attaching/detaching section, as described
hereinbelow.
[0048] The case 30 is a rear case made of aluminum.
[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the sliding module 40
includes a pair of guide rails 41 and a pair of slide grooves
42.
[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking unit 50
includes a button 51, a movable locker 52, a pair of hooks 53, and
a pair of coil springs 54.
[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 9 to 12, the body 20
includes first and second body elements 21 and 22. The locking unit
50 is installed in the first body element 21, and the hooks 53
contact the support 24 of the first body 21 when coupled to the
support 24 of the first body 21. Each of a pair of coil springs 54
are coupled to a lower portion of the movable locker 52.
[0052] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, and 13 to 17, the stopper 60
includes first and second stopper recesses 61 and 62, and a stopper
locker 63. The stopper locker 63 is coupled to a couple recess 23
formed in the second body element 22.
[0053] In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 8, the first and
second body elements 21 and 22 are coupled to each other, and a
pair of guide rails 41 installed at opposite ends of the second
body element 22 is slidably coupled to a pair of slide grooves 42
formed at opposite ends of the case 30.
[0054] In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, when a user
is to attach a battery pack 80 installed in the body 20, the user
pushes a button 51 of the locking unit 50 formed in the first body
element 21 first.
[0055] Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the button 51 is
moved from the upper side to the lower side and the movable locker
52 is moved together. The movable locker 52 is released when
separated from the catching recess 31 formed in the case 30, and
the movable locker 52 is moved to an original position again from
the lower side to the upper side by a coil spring 54 installed at a
lower portion of the movable locker 52.
[0056] Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, the hooks 53 formed
at opposite ends of the movable locker 52 contact a support 24
installed in the first body element 21 and prevent separation of
the movable locker 52 at the same time.
[0057] In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the case
30 is slid from the body 20.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 13 to 17, the slide
grooves 42 formed at opposite ends of the case 30 are slid by the
guide rails 41 installed at opposite ends of the body section 20.
Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first and second
stopper recesses 61 and 62 formed in the case 30 are slid together,
and the first stopper recess 61 is separated from a catcher 63b of
the stopper locker 63. An inclined guide surface 61a formed in the
first stopper recess 61 guides separation of the catcher 63b. The
catcher 63b is deflected by a resilient member 63c when moved on
the inclined guide surface 61a.
[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the case 30 is moved from the
body 20 to a slide completing position of the case 30.
[0060] Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the catcher 63b is
inserted into and caught by the second stopper recess 62 formed in
the case 30 to restrict the sliding of the case 30. Then, the
deflected catcher 63b is moved to an original position again by the
resilient member 63c and is inserted into the second stopper recess
62.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the catcher 63b is guided by and
inserted into the inclined guide surface 62a formed in the second
stopper recess 62. Then, since an inclined surface 70 facing the
inclined guide surface 62a formed in the second stopper recess 62
and guiding attachment and detachment of the inclined guide surface
62a is formed in the catcher 63b, the inclined surface 70 guides
insertion of the inclined guide surface 62a and faces the inclined
guide surface 62a at the same time when the catcher 63b is inserted
along the inclined guide surface 62a.
[0062] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the case 30 is slid from
the body 20 and opens the battery attaching/detaching section 20a
installed in the body 20 at the same time. In this state, a battery
pack 80 mounted to the battery attaching/detaching section 20a is
separated so that a new battery pack 80 can be coupled.
[0063] In this state, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the case 30 is
slid again to close the battery attaching/detaching section
20a.
[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16, the case 30 is slid and
the first and second stopper recesses 61 and 62 are moved together
at the same time.
[0065] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the catcher 63b is
separated from the second stopper recess 62 and is deflected by the
resilient member 63c.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 14, when the case 30 is slid to an
original position again, the catcher 63b is inserted into the first
stopper recess 61 again. The deflected catcher 63b is moved to an
original position again by the resilient member 63c and is inserted
into the first stopper recess 61. Then, since the inclined surface
70 is formed in the catcher 63b, the inclined surface 70 guides
insertion of the inclined guide surface 61a and faces the inclined
guide surface 61a when the catcher 63b is inserted along the
inclined guide surface 61a of the first stopper recess 61.
[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 13, movement of the case
30 is restricted at an initial sliding position and the battery
attaching/detaching section 20a of the body 20 is closed.
[0068] Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the catching recess
31 of the case 30 contacts the movable locker 52, and is guided
along a contact guide surface 52a formed in the movable locker 52
and is caught by the movable locker 52, restricting movement of the
movable locker 52.
[0069] Then, the movable locker 52 is moved upward and downward
while contacting the catching recess 31.
[0070] Accordingly, since the case 30 opens or closes the battery
attaching/detaching section 20a installed in the body 20 when it
slides along the body 20, an appealing outer product design is
realized without need for a conventional battery cover to open and
close the battery attaching/detaching section 20a. Moreover, such
design further realizes reduced manufacturing costs and reduced
number of parts of the product.
[0071] It should be recognized that the above-described portable
communication device is merely one embodiment of the present
invention, that the invention is not limited to a mobile
communication terminal Various types of terminals may employ the
present invention.
[0072] That is, the portable communication device of the invention
may include without limitation any mobile communication terminals
operated based on any known or developing communication protocols,
all information and communication devices including without
limitation portable multimedia players (PMPs), MP3 players,
navigation systems, gaming devices, laptop computers, advertising
panels, TVs, digital broadcasting players, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), smart phones, electronic devices and multimedia
devices, and application devices thereof.
[0073] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to a certain embodiment thereof, it should be understood
by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims
* * * * *